Many functions were canceled in 2020, including the Yarmouth Seaside Festival. While we’re still dealing with the CoViD-19 pandemic and its effects in 2021, enough protocols and precautions are in place to allow this year’s festival to go ahead.
The 2021 Yarmouth Seaside Festival will take place over Columbus Day Weekend and provide a great reason to visit the community between October 9 and 11. Most events are held at Joshua Sears Memorial Field, but nearby beaches and waterways will also see some of the action.
All the performances are entirely free to attend, although you’ll have to pay for food, crafts, and rides. There are fees to enter the races, too.
Here’s a look at some of the events you can check out when visiting Cape Cod this fall during the 2021 Yarmouth Seaside Festival.
Day One
Everything gets started on Saturday, October 9, with the pumpkin decorating contest. Families can grab a pumpkin and come up with a silly or unique design that they feel will win a prize. Saturday morning will also include a kids’ arts and crafts show and a science show with some experiments.
Moving into Saturday afternoon, events like Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures, a jaws-of-life demonstration, a birds-of-prey show, and a pie-eating contest are sure to capture your attention. There are races in the field for the kids, as well.
As all of these events are going down, you’re free to visit the arts and crafts fair, go on some midway rides, grab a bite to eat from a vendor, or check out one of the entertainment tents. There will be live music from Summer Town, Nautilus, and the Cod Fathers, too.
The day finishes up with a bonfire at Bass River Beach, which goes on until about 9:00 PM.
Day Two
It’s more of the same on Sunday, October 10, as the arts and crafts fair, midway rides, food vendors, and entertainment tents will be up and running. There will also be music throughout the day from Cape Jazz, the Grab Brothers, the Rock Harbor 3, and North Country.
The big event on the Sunday is the Yarmouth Seaside Festival Road Race. This 5k run weaves through some residential neighborhoods near the shores of the Bass River and is always one of the festival’s most popular attractions. It costs $25 to enter, and there’s an awards ceremony at its conclusion.
There will also be a junior swat obstacle course and a K-9 demonstration from the Yarmouth Police at Sears Memorial Field in the afternoon.
The day finishes with some fireworks at Seagull Beach in West Yarmouth, which should start at about 8:00 PM.
Day Three
Although the festival is officially only two days long, the unofficial third day has a lot going on. The midway and vendors are gone from Sears Memorial Field at this point, but there are other attractions near the water that families might enjoy.
First, there’s the Family Sand Sculpture Contest at Bass River Beach. This year’s theme is Sea Creatures, so you’ll have to build a castle that incorporates something from the ocean. The event gets started at 9:00 AM and runs until noon.
That’s not the only thing going on at Bass River Beach, as you can check out the Chalk Full of Fun Family Chalk Fest, as well. This experience takes place at the same time, except it’s in the parking lot. Your kids are free to grab various colors of chalk and draw whatever they choose on the pavement.
Finally, the Canoe and Kayak Race begins at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 11. The race commences with a shotgun start from Wilbur Park near the Highbank Bridge in South Yarmouth and ends at Bass River Beach. There’s an after-party at the Sea Dog Brew Pub, too, which will include prizes for some participants.
Spending Columbus Day Weekend in Yarmouth, Massachusetts
If you’re looking to get away for Columbus Day Weekend, the Yarmouth Seaside Festival will provide plenty of activity for you and your family. Even if you don’t participate in any of the competitions, the live music, craft fair, and food vendors make the festival well worth a visit.
Things begin slowing down on Cape Cod after Labor Day Weekend, but you’ll still find things to do well into the fall. This festival in Yarmouth, MA, is just one example of why the Cape is just a great spot for an autumn escape.
